Stalevo

Pronounced: stuh-LEE-voh
Generic ingredients: Carbidopa, Levodopa, and Entacapone

Why is Stalevo prescribed?

Stalevo is used to help relieve symptoms of Parkinson's disease, including tremors, muscle stiffness and rigidity, slowness of movement, and poor balance or coordination.

Stalevo contains a combination of three drugs, carbidopa and levodopa (the active ingredients in Sinemet), and entacapone (the active ingredient in Comtan). The drug that actually relieves the symptoms of Parkinson's is levodopa. Carbidopa and entacapone both keep the body from breaking down levodopa too quickly, thus allowing the drug's effects to last longer. Stalevo can be used instead of Sinemet and Comtan by people who are taking those medicines separately or when the benefits of levodopa aren't lasting as long as they used to.

Keep in mind that Stalevo is not a cure for Parkinson's disease; it merely helps keep the symptoms under control.

Most important fact about Stalevo

You should never take Stalevo with certain antidepressants known as monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors, such as phenelzine (Nardil) and tranylcypromine (Parnate). Combining Stalevo with these drugs could cause serious--and possibly life-threatening--side effects. This type of antidepressant should be discontinued at least 2 weeks before beginning therapy with Stalevo.

However, Stalevo may be combined with the drug selegiline (Eldepryl), which is a different type of MAO inhibitor that is often prescribed for Parkinson's disease. Always check with your doctor before taking any type of MAO inhibitor.

How should you take Stalevo?

Stalevo may be taken with or without food. Never chew, crush, or break the tablets. Do not change the prescribed dosing regimen or add any Parkinson's medications without first consulting your doctor.

--If you miss a dose...

If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the one you missed and go back to your regular schedule. Do not take two doses at once.